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Bacon-Wrapped Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs Recipe

Bacon-Wrapped Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs

Juicy beef and Italian sausage meatballs are stuffed with mozzarella, wrapped in bacon, baked until browned, and brushed with barbecue sauce. This recipe makes 16 satisfying meatballs.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 16 servings

Ingredients
  

Meatball Mixture
  • 1 lb (454 g) Ground beef, preferably 80/20
  • 1 lb (454 g) Mild or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 Large egg
  • 1/2 cup (30-35 g) Plain breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup (25 g) Finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 Garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup Finely minced onion
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
Filling and Topping
  • 4 oz (113 g) Low-moisture mozzarella, cut into 16 small cubes
  • 8 slices Bacon slices, cut in half crosswise
Sauce
  • 1/3 cup Barbecue sauce

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, set a wire rack on top, and lightly grease the rack so the bacon-wrapped meatballs release easily after baking.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian sausage, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, onion, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix only until the ingredients are evenly combined; overmixing can make the meatballs dense.
  3. Divide the meat mixture into 16 portions. Flatten one portion slightly, place a mozzarella cube in the center, and carefully seal the meat completely around the cheese so there are no openings for the filling to escape.
  4. Wrap each meatball with half of a bacon slice, keeping the bacon snug but avoiding heavy overlap. Position the bacon seam underneath, then place the meatballs on the prepared rack with space between each one.
  5. Bake for 20–25 minutes, turning the meatballs once if needed so the bacon browns evenly. Continue cooking until the bacon is browned and the center of the meatballs reaches at least 160°F (71°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
  6. Brush the meatballs with barbecue sauce during the final 3–5 minutes of baking, or serve the sauce on the side. If the bacon needs additional color, broil for 1–2 minutes while watching closely to prevent scorching.
  7. Remove the meatballs from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This short rest allows the hot cheese to settle slightly and helps the meatballs stay juicy when bitten into.

Notes

Freeze the mozzarella cubes for 15–20 minutes before stuffing. Thin-cut bacon browns more reliably than thick-cut bacon, and a wire rack allows excess fat to drain. Store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat until hot throughout.